Rep. Revilla pushes for urgent OFW remittances protection

Agimat Partylist Rep. Bryan Revilla on Sunday called for immediate policy action to ensure the hard-earned income of Filipino workers abroad reaches their families intact.

This as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data shows that nearly all OFW remittances go straight to food and household necessities.

The partylist solon renewed his push ahead of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs’ first hearing for 2026 set for February 24, underscoring the urgency of House Bill No. 275 or the OFW Remittance Protection Act amid emerging global fees that threaten to chip away at remittance values.

Revilla, citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), emphasized that 95 percent of OFW remittances are spent on food and other basic household needs — proof that remittances are not merely symbolic expressions of love from abroad but the most crucial lifeline sustaining millions of Filipino families.

“Hindi na dapat mabawasan pa bawat remittance ipinapadala ng ating mga OFWs sa kanilang pamilya. Literal na dugo’t pawis ang kanilang puhunan dito.  Kahit mukhang maliit ang isang porsyento, ramdam pa rin ito sa bulsa mga Bagong Bayani – lalo na sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga serbisyo’t bilihin,” Rep. Revilla said.

The lawmaker raised concern following the implementation of a new one percent federal tax in the United States on certain cash-based international remittances that took effect on January 1, 2026. The policy imposes a levy on transfers funded by physical instruments such as cash, money orders, and cashier’s checks. While bank and digital transfers remain exempt, Revilla noted that many overseas Filipinos — particularly those with limited access to digital financial infrastructure — may still be affected.

With the United States accounting for roughly 40 percent of the Philippines’ total remittance inflows, Revilla stressed that the country cannot afford to be passive in the face of evolving global remittance costs and domestic fee structures.

“OFW remittances are more than economic statistics. Ito ay pagkain sa mesa, matrikula ng mga anak, at panggastos sa araw-araw. Kapag may bawas, kabuhayan agad ang tinatamaan,” he added.

House Bill No. 275 proposes a comprehensive framework to safeguard OFW remittances by regulating excessive remittance fees, mandating transparency in exchange rates and charges, penalizing abusive or predatory practices by financial institutions, and expanding access to free and mandatory financial education for OFWs and their families.

Revilla underscored that while the State continues to pursue long-term solutions to domestic job creation, migrant work remains a present reality for millions of Filipinos — making income protection an immediate national responsibility.

“While there is yet a long term solution to labor migration, it is our duty to protect the earnings of our OFWs,” said Revilla.

As Chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, Revilla said the upcoming hearing will focus on building durable, system-wide protections that will shield remittances from unexpected external charges and unfair domestic practices.

He reiterated that protecting OFW remittances goes hand in hand with broader reintegration and welfare measures, including the proposed Bagong Balikbayan Act.

“This is our promise: if an OFW send money, it should be intact when it reached their family. Agad tayong kikilos – para sa kanila at para sa pamilya,” said the solon.